CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY

College of Nursing
University Town, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon

HEALTH ASSESSMENT LEC (NCM 57)

The values and importance of Human dignity in Nursing education and practice and its usage to
Health Assessment

Submitted by:
Hannah Angelu S. Cabading
BS Nursing 2 Section D

Submitted to:
Geobelle Taal, RN
Clinical Instructor, NCM 57

NOVEMBER 2020
 Abstract

Background

Human dignity, as a fundamental human right and a moral obligation, has been
emphasized in different fields of nursing. The ethical values of nursing are crucial to the
provision of humane care. Human dignity is a core value that must be preserved in order to
deliver such care. No studies to date have compared the perceptions of nurses and/or patients
regarding the components of dignified care embedded in actual clinical practice.

Purpose

This article aims to be knowledgeable on the importance of Values specifically the

Human dignity in accordance to the Nursing education and practice and the connection to Health
Assessment on delivering care.

Keyword: Human Dignity, Values, Nursing care

 Introduction

Any group has primary standards called values. These values are considered as the
guideline and motivation of behavior for the members of a certain culture. According to Weis
and Schank (2009), values are standards for action that are accepted by groups and individuals,
and are used to evaluate the integrity of the individual or organization. In addition, values are
necessary to reinforce individuals’ the identity and performance. Values are rooted in personal
values, which are influenced by family, culture, environment, religion, and ethnicity. The process
of acquisition such values is gradual and evolutionary and occurs throughout an individual’s
lifetime. Nurses, as the largest health care group, have well-known and important values. The use
of these values in nursing practice increased the quality of patients care, nurses’ occupational
satisfaction, their retention in nursing and commitment to the organization  Nursing values are
fundamental to the practice of nursing. They guide standards for action, provide a framework for
evaluating behavior and influence practice decisions. The core values of nursing includes
Altruism, Integrity, Autonomy, Human Dignity, Honesty and Social Justice. Each of this values
are compose of the nurses, patient and clients guide to be knowledgeable in evaluating behavior
and practice which lead the nurses to have consideration and respect on handling patients
regardless on their belief system and culture.

Human Dignity as Core Values in Nursing Practice

The thought of human dignity, as one of most important professional values, has become
a portion of ethical issues in the education and practice. Human dignity is an unclear and
complex concept in the nursing profession. It means to have a respect for every individuals and
treating every human being the deserving treatment for them as a unique individual. Respect is
applicable for all human being and it is the most basic obligation not only for patients, but also
for all. It is also an important aspect of nursing care. Human dignity is an understanding respect
and competence, these allows the individual to feel valued, and trust. Haddock (1996) stated, in
his report, that human dignity is recognized with aspects such as respect, self-confidence, self-
control and environment control, privacy, and identity which increase through relationships.
Human dignity can be thought of as an individual’s sense of self-worth and self-respect. It can
encompass many things, including the right to fill basic needs, like food, shelter, and personal
safety. In the healthcare environment, human dignity is more focused on aspects of privacy,
respect, and autonomy. Certain care episodes can be frightening for some patients, and exams
and procedures often include elements that may erode human dignity. Patients are exposed and
vulnerable, they’re poked and prodded, they’re questioned about intimate details, and they’re
subjected to the scrutiny of strangers. Part of nursing’s advocacy role is to preserve human
dignity throughout the continuum of care.

In connection to Health Assessment Modesty is often important to a patient’s sense of

dignity, particularly for those with cultural or ethnic beliefs surrounding body image. Simple acts
like pulling a curtain closed, holding a gown together in the back, or offering a drape to the
patient can show respect for the patient modesty. Lowering your voice when asking personal
questions or relaying personal information can help to preserve patient privacy. Being sensitive
to the patient’s demographic and special circumstances is critical to preserving human dignity.
For example, geriatric patients often report that recent healthcare encounters have eroded their
dignity. Older patients may suffer a loss of dignity when healthcare providers hold stereotyped,
negative assumptions about their ability to understand, remember, and act on information.

So for older patients, the path to preserving human dignity involves respectful
communication, even when it takes more time. You may have to explain a procedure step-by-
step to someone with dementia every single time, rather than just doing it and frightening or
rushing the patient. When a family member or caretaker is present, talking to that person
exclusively and ignoring the elderly patient is a definite erosion of dignity. Older patients don’t
want to be treated like children. Often it helps to get down to the patient’s level when he or she is
in a bed or wheelchair, so you’re not “talking down to” someone. Human dignity also focuses in
having respect to keep confidential information, or healthcare to patient discussion.

Conclusion

In contrary, based on the past article and experience of students and nurses, there are still
no clear and definite meaning of the concept of human dignity. Many individual and
organizational factors, imagination of the society and the professional care team are influential in
the development or undermining of human dignity of the nurses. Therefore, it is still important
for everyone to keep this practice which is to respect every individuals most especially their race,
culture and ethical understanding and give their deserved treatment.
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